Manufacturing Supply Chain Manager

Stirling Dynamics is recruiting a Manufacturing Supply Chain Manager to join the Quality team. 

Stirling Dynamics design, develop and produce a wide range of high-end aircraft simulator, ground control and flightworthy cockpit controls. Stirling’s produce both ‘active’ and ‘passive’ controls. The active controls primarily serve the engineering development and pilot training simulation market. They are feature-rich, highly reconfigurable, and suitable for single or dual (linked) aircraft cockpit configurations.

Our range of active products includes; side sticks, throttles, collectives, cyclics, tillers, pedals etc and the associated control systems. The company is continually bringing new products to market while also introducing incremental improvements to our existing products. Although Stirling has passive product offerings for the pilot training & simulation sector, the main demand is for flightworthy applications where Stirling; design, develop and supply the product which are implemented within the certified aircraft.

We have pioneered active control technology since the early 1990s and are proud to hold many industry and technology firsts, which includes supplying the controls for the first ever, fully active fly-by-wire helicopter flight. Today, we supply the active stick and throttles for the new F-35 pilot training simulators and continue to break new ground in cockpit control technology.

The Manufacturing Supply Chain Manager is a new role within the business to help strengthen the relationship with our supplier base but also to ensure that design is optimised for manufacture and that production related non-conformities or deviations (concessions) are robustly managed.

The role will be based within the Quality function and report to the Quality Manager who in turn reports to the Operations Director.

• Working with Procurement and Quality in the down selection and ongoing review of suppliers,
  specifically:
  • Initial suitability assessment of suppliers. Where Procurement/Engineering identify a potential supplier option (typically relating to Stirling designed items placed for manufacture e.g. machinists, PCB manufacturers etc.), conduct an assessment to determine if the supplier meets the required credentials from a manufacturing perspective.
  • Audits – post a successful initial desktop assessment, or as part of planned reviews of existing suppliers, conduct audits (remote or on-site) to determine whether the manufacturing supplier: control, capability and capacity meets/continues to meet the business needs and quality expectations.
• Providing Design For Manufacture (DFM) expertise/guidance to the internal engineering teams during the product development cycle, including:
  • Act as a stakeholder in design reviews.
  • Where critical parts process control is required, act as the focal both internally and externally to ensure the appropriate planning and implemented controls are appropriate and robust.
  • Support the engineering discussions with the suppliers regarding DFM matters as required.
• Process assurance. Working with the relevant suppliers and/or internal stakeholders to ensure that the following processes are correctly understood and implemented, supporting where necessary:
  • DFMEA and PFMEA.
  • Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) in accordance with AS9145.
  • First Article Inspections and the associated FAIR.
• Management of product related Non-Conformances (NCs). Working with Stock Control (goods-in inspection identification of non-conformance) and Production (identification of product level nonconformance during test) with a focus on:
  • Non-conformance: Reviewing the root cause, proposed corrective and preventative actions to ensure they are robust and minimise the chance of re-occurrence. Sign-off of product NCRs from a Quality perspective.
  • Concessions: Reviewing the deviation and determining acceptability from a Quality perspective.
• Working with the Business during the bid tendering phase to ensure due consideration/allowance for supply chain management requirements.
• Identifying and implementing improvements within the wider quality management system relating to supply chain management and production conformity.

• Flexible, can-do approach
• Professional attitude
• Self-motivated to see tasks through to successful completion
• Takes pride in their work
• Good communication skills (written and oral)
• I.T. Literate
• Organised, thorough with good attention to detail
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team environment
• A methodical and pragmatic approach to engineering problem solving
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and multitask

• Demonstrable supply chain manufacturing experience within regulated industry sectors
• An engineering qualification (HND or higher) within a relevant engineering discipline
• A good level of understanding and experience in the application of standards such as; BSEN9100/AS9100, AS9145 and how it applies to the development and production of product
• Direct experience in the planning and control of critical parts manufacturing processes
• Trained auditor (ideally lead auditor)

Competitive package - Grade 4-5, £35,000-£57,000 dependent on experience.

We offer a range of benefits to our employees to recognise their efforts. Playing hard is equally as important as working hard, so regular events are held throughout the year which provide an ideal opportunity to mix socially